Valves and their operation



Jan. 10, 1933.

E. E LITTLEFJELD VALVES AND THEIR OPERATION Filed Jan. 22, 1925' 2 Shets-Sheet Jan. 10, 1933. E. E. LITTLEFIELD 2 VALVES AND THEIR OPERATION Filed Jan. 2,2. 192a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 q 7/ .k 6/ 7 E 60 g I 4 m V 63 W 5 560 64 {a J6 Patented Jan, 10, 1933 UNITED STATES EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALTFORNIA.

VALVES AND. THEIR OPERATION Application filed January 22, 1925. Serial No. 4,102;

The invention relates in general to valves of the auxiliary controlled type, one of the objects of which is to provide a construction 5 having few parts and which is easily assembled.

Another object of the invention. is to provide suitable means for controlling fluids, such as air, water or steam, at various pressures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device designed to function on either alternating'or direct current.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is economical in power consumption'and which will function on low voltage. y Another object is to provide a quick acting valve that will not stick and that will seat without an objectionable hammer blow.

Another object is to provide suitable controlling means employing preferred methods of operation.

, Another object is to provide a valve the cost of which will permit of its adoption and use generally. 1

Another object is to provide a valve the parts of which are not subjected to unnecessary strain or wear. This is particularly true of the sealingmeans which I employ consisting, in part, of the usual composition disc, or suitableequivalent, which is subjected to such pressure only as is necessary to properly seal the same. Not only does my construction avoid the constant strain of mechanically applied pressure, necessitating frequent renewal of the valve disc, but the use of packing in the wall of the pressure.

chamber is avoided. 0 My invention will be found to possess the advantages of few movin parts, low consumption of current, positive y of action, low voltage operation, coupledwith both delicacy and reliability of operation.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

This applicatlon is a.continuation, in part,

of the following pending applicatlonsz #544,878, valves and #328,305, electricalo controlling apparatus filed March 18, 1922 many important features among whichare' and October 3, 1919, respectively, by present applicant.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain of the various embodiments which the invention may assume in practice. 55

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates typical means for adjusting the flow of fluid.

Figure 3 shows the closure combination of 60 Figure 1 with its attached solenoid incross, sectional elevation.

Figures 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views showing modified circuit arrangements.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mod- .ified closure structure.

In the various views like numerals refer to like elements.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the same illustrates a valve body 1 having an inlet 22 provided with threads (not shown) and having a-seat 36 formed in the partition 12. At the top of the valve proper is removably I inserted in thevalve body 1 a cap or bonnet 2 having an annular flange 4 forming a cylinder for the piston or closure -3. Centrally disposed with -reference to this piston is an auxiliary .valve. 7 provided with an adjustable pinlO, threaded at each end, and. having anut or head 34 adjustably and re-. movably secured to its lower extremity. Forming a seat 37, for the auxiliary valve, is removably secured to the part 3 a tubular member 9 havinga head at its lower end by means of which a gasket 11, of the usual composition is detachably secured to the piston 3. The bore 8 extending axially through the part 9 should have a diameter sufiicient to causeanunsea'ting of the main valve when I the auxiliary valve is ,unseated. 90

Electrical operation is provided by means of a solenoid shown more in detail in Fig. 3 in which a, pin 42, the-lower end of which rests loosely on the upper end of a magnetizable plunger or armature 40, is arranged for longitudinal movement within a tubular extension of a fluid container 41 having impervious nonmagnetic walls and a lateral recess 67 terminating at any desired point, as at 68. Preferably, the pin 42 is made ofnonmagnetic. 'material. For energizing the plunger 40 I have provided asolenoidwinding 48 carried by a spool 47 and enclosed by adjusta a magnetizable shell'consisting of a tubular member 39 and two head pieces 45 and 44, the latterdesigned to detachably secure the solenoid combination to the lower portion of the valve body 1. To limit the upward travel of theplunger 40 and also complete the magbnetic circuit of the solenoid 46 I have etizable member of current 61 is connected. by means of circuit 51, controlled by switch element 58, to a transformer 52 supplyin preferably, about 75"watts at, about v0 ts and having primary and secondary windings 54 and 53 re spectively. For connecting the secondary winding 53 with the terminals of the solenoid j 49, arranged as desired, a circuit 50, contherefor. Those famihar with the operation of solenoids will appreciate the advantage of so arranging the nut 34 on the pin 10 as to cause the nut 34 to deliver a hammer blow to the main valve at the moment the. pull of the magnet is greatest. This featurewill receive further consideration in the. description found elsewhere.

Assuming that the valve is connected to a source of fluid under pressure, such-as water, at 22and that the piston 3 and auxiliary valve 7 are seated, the pressure at this time is communicated past the piston to the space on the top of the closure combination. If thepin 42 is now thrust upward bymeans of the armature 40 it will engage the lower end of the pin 10 unseating the auxiliary valve 7 permitting fluid to escape through the bypass or bore 8. The release of pressure from the hydrostatic chamber 5 causes the piston 3 to promptly unseat, permitting a free flow of fluid from chamber 33 to chamber 32.

Experience has shown that unless means are rovided for adjusting the flow through the y-pass, in accordance with various pres sure requirements, the valve has a more or lesslimited use. I have shown in Fig. 2 one way in which this may be done. To make this clear I have shown an enlarged modification 110 of the pin 10 having an annular groove (not marked) carrying a device 115 similar to a piston ring provided with interlocking teeth 120 whereby any desired adjustment may be made. Obviously, additional means may be provided and arranged f to secure the device 115 in any desired posily inserted in the tubular extension of the container 41 a ma '43 in theform of a threat ed tube. A source Lapses? I tion. In certain cases-I have found it de sirable to either artly or wholly close the by-pass provided y the bore 8 This may be accomplished by giving the lpwer part ofthe bore t operating closure member 90 whose position on the pin 110'may be adjusted by means of a set screw 95. Since the parts 90 and 34 may be so designed as to function for a variety of purposes I do'notlimit myself to the particuar .constructions shown. Moreover, I contemplate that means other than those shown may be employed to adjustably control or regulate the fluid flow.

Another circuit arrangement I'have found very satisfactory-is that shown in Fi 4.

-A conventional form of the valve descrlbed above is shown at. 63. Between this and a source of current I have connected, by

means ofthe circuits 50 and 65, a'transformer.

e form of a'seat and" providing a co- 56 having primary and secondary windings 55 and 53, respectively. In circuit 65 I have connected a switch 57 while circuit 50 is provided with controlling means in the form of a Telecode relay 64 the actuation of which may be controlled by interposing a conductive fluid across the gap 66 or-by any other suitable means such, for'instance, as a push button or'its equivalent. The'arrangement has been found of. special value in controlling fluids the path of which intersects the path of a controlling current. For such purposes the arrangement is very sensitive and, moreover, is easily adjustable. "actual practice it has been found desirable to substitute a fluid of one conductivity for a fluid of another con been employed for a wide ,variety of purposes'including those described in Patent #1,404,155, issued January 17, 1922, with very satisfactory results.

In the arrangement of Fig. 5 I have shown the valve (33 included in the primary circuit 51 and controlled by a secondary circuit 50 which includes a switch or push button 59. Such an arrangement provides a simple, safe, and practical methodof controlling any translating device from a remote point without expensive switching mechanism and without danger of fire. In other words, the arrangement provides a convenient means for reducing the strength or voltage of the current supplied by the ordinary service main to any required safe-value. It may likewise be employed to step the current.up to any desired value. Such a use exists in connection with apparatus such as high frequency generators and other medical appa ratus. I In the foregoing I have described appathat certain fluids require a valve disc or gasket that will not quickly yield to the cor rosive action or effect of the fluid. For ex.-

ample, a valve disc of cork has been found very satisfactory for controlling gasoline, and the like, forthe reason that it withstands the action'of the fluid whereas a rubber disc would soon yield. In Fig. 6 I have shown means which may be employed for controlling certain fluids the natureorcondition of which is such as would render the use of the ordinary valve disc unsuitableor impracticable. I- have accordingly modified the outlet in the partition 12 to provide a tapered seat for a co-operating sealing member 69 having an annular flange 73 at or near its upper extremity and a seat 72 for the auxiliary valve 7 which controls an axial bypass or outlet in the part 69. Free to move in telescopic relation on member 69 is a companion piece70 provided with an annular shoulder 74 adapted to engage the flange 73 whereby its upward travel may be limited and a hammer blow applied to the member 69 to unseat the same. The part 69 may be introduced into the companion piece 70 before forming the flange on its upper end and the flange formed after the partsare assembled by applying a hammer, or the like, to the upper end of the part.69, or this part 69 may be made in two parts, with the flange on the upper one, and the two parts either threaded together or electrically welded, as desired. Arranged in any convenient ordesirableposition, as at 75, I have inserted a screw whereby the travel of the member 7 0 maybe adjusted or the two telescoping parts secured in rigid relation, if such is desired. Obviously, the nut 34, carried by pin 10,. may be so adjusted on the pin as to provide a ham- I that when pressure is reduced above 72 fluid mer blow. As thus arranged the nut 34 will strike the bottom of the part 69, applying the hammer. blow to the latter, thereby assisting in raising'member 69 fromits seat; Ob-

viously, if desired, the member 69 may 'belifted from its seat entirely by contact of the nut 34 in its upward movement against the bottom of the part 69. [Of course, means other than either-0f those described may be employed for producing a hammer blow effect. 7 I

A consideration of the above will show will enter between the flat surface above 69 and member 70 resulting in a substantial unbalanced lifting of the latter.

To avoid the necessity of providingth'e' valves with special windings to meet various service requirements I have found it much more satisfactory and economicalto employ hooked up to the 110 volt service main and the other to the 220 volt main. Obviously,

I the secondaries would be wound'for common service requirements.

In the preceding paragraphs I have directed consideration to the use of alternating current with particular reference to transformers. I do notmean by this that any other suitable source may .not be employed. On the other hand, a' set of two or three dry batteries may be used. 1 The use of low voltage devices, such as dry batteries or the low voltage transformers above mentioned, avoids the necessity for inspections, etc. In the foregoing I have referred to transformers having certain characteristics. I do not mean that such characteristics are necessarily fixed since certain departures therefrom will I also Y not substantially affect the result. contemplate that, when desirable, other translating devices, depending on' the particular conditions, may be substituted for the valve 6.?) in the'arrangements above described."

Itwill be found in the above that I havedevice 42, the pin 31 may be so employed since its diameter, as shown, may be greater than that of the bore 8.

While the valve above described is, wellsuited for use as a flu'shometer I contemplate that, when desired, additional means in the 6 form of a check valve, or the like, may be employed to restrict or check the flow of fluid through the by-pass to thereby retard the closing ofthe valve. Such a device may, if

desired, form an element of the closure combination.

Such co-acting electrical parts as thesolenoid winding, together with the parts making up the same, and the auxiliary valve may be.

standardized for different sizes of valves. In I I other words, 'in the manufacture of the device' I interchangeable parts in sofar as that is -sible.. I

While in the foregoing I have illustrated: and described typical embodiments whereby my invention may be carried intoracticeit Wlll be apparent that many modi cations. in the structureo'f the apparatus used, as-well as in the elements themselves, and in the application thereof may be made without detherein arranged to support a fluid operated valve; a fluid operated valve supported by said seat in the closed position of the former; an auxiliary valve controlling the fluld operated valve, the latter supporting the former in its closed positionand electrically controlled 'means in the path of the fluid without said chamber for controlling the auxiliary valve, said means including amember co-' acting with the auxiliary .valve by lost motion action; controlling means for said electrically controlled means 2. A valve combination including a main fluid-operated valve and an-auxiliary valve; a by-pass in the fluid operated valvefor the auxiliary valve; means operated independently of the auxiliary valve for applying a hammer blow effect to the main valve.

\ .3. A'valve combination including amain and an auxiliary valve; a by-pass in the main valve controlled by the auxiliary valve;

means operated by the fluid for applymga.

hammer blow effect to the main valve.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature at Los Angeles, California, this 18th day of November, 1924.

EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD. 

